Marc R. Watkins

Dr. Marc R. Watkins, M.D., M.S.P.H., F.A.C.O.E.M. is the chief medical officer for Kroger Health in Brentwood, Tenn., the health care arm of The Kroger Co., which comprises more than 2,200 pharmacies in 37 states and Washington D.C., more than 220 locations of The Little Clinic in nine states, and 11 specialty pharmacies across the country. Working with a cross-functional team of pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dietitians and technical care providers, he helps to develop the strategic direction and overall clinical program initiatives for Kroger’s providers and delivers clinical guidance for associate benefit design. Dr. Watkins is also responsible for regulatory and accreditation requirements, maintaining a comprehensive suite of high-quality care for patients. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, he has also advised the company on its response, including testing and vaccination efforts.Dr. Watkins joined Kroger in 2015 as vice president and medical director of The Little Clinic. In August2018, he was promoted to Chief Medical Officer of Kroger Health. Prior to joining Kroger, he spent six years with Concentra Health Services in various physician leadership roles, providing strategic, operational and clinical program development to major employers across the country. Dr. Watkins is a Fellow of the American College of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. He served five years active duty in the Navy as Senior Medical Officer and twice received the Navy Commendation Medal. Dr. Watkins received his B.A. in philosophy from the College of the Holy Cross in 1991, and his M.D. in medicine in 2002 and his M.S.P.H. in public health from Meharry Medical College, a historically Black medical school.